| Key Points |
|---|
| 1. ESPN offers Stephen A. Smith a substantial five-year, $90 million deal to prevent him from leaving. |
| 2. Despite the significant proposal, Smith aims for around $25 million per year. |
| 3. Comparing to past deals, such as Troy Aikman’s $90 million contract, Smith’s offer aligns with ESPN’s history of lucrative signings. |
ESPN is pulling out all the stops to keep one of its most prominent figures, Stephen A. Smith, from leaving the sports giant. The network has reportedly put forward a significant offer: a five-year, $90 million deal, translating to $18 million annually. This substantial proposal comes as Smith’s current contract is set to expire in 2025, reflecting ESPN’s commitment to retaining top talent.
According to Puck News, ESPN pitched this lucrative proposal to William Morris Endeavor (WME), Smith’s representation. They portrayed it as an opportunity for Smith to become their highest-paid talent. However, Smith currently has his sights set higher, aiming for around $25 million per year, indicating that negotiations may still be ongoing as he evaluates his options.
| Stephen A. Smith Biography | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Anthony Smith |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Bronx, New York, USA |
| Profession | Sports Television Personality, Radio Host, Journalist |
| Years Active | 1991–present |
| Famous Role | Host on First Take |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) |
| Parents | Janet Smith (mother) |
| Siblings | Four older sisters, one younger brother (Basil, deceased) |
| Education | Fashion Institute of Technology, Winston-Salem State University |
| Notable Works | First Take, Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith, SportsCenter |
| Awards and Nominations | Known for his bold and provocative analysis |
| Personal Life | Was once engaged, has two daughters and a son |
| Social Media Profiles | Twitter, Instagram |
| Net Worth | $16 Million |
| Annual Salary | $12 Million |
| Interesting Fact | Started his career in print journalism and moved to television in the mid-2000s |
Troy Aikman’s Deal as a Reference Point
The context here becomes clearer when comparing with ESPN’s past signings. Before the 2022 NFL season, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman inked notable contracts with ESPN. Aikman’s deal around $90 million over five years was particularly highlighted at that time by The Post. Smith’s current offer aims to parallel those previous mega deals.
The Financial Stand-off
This news aligns closely with recent discussions on the SI Media with Jimmy Traina Podcast. Reporter James Andrew Miller noted just a week ago about these early negotiations stating:
Stephen A.’s deal is coming up… He’s looking for a big, big number. In fact, I think there have been preliminary talks already that have started. And I also feel, given the content world, he doesn’t even have to have another offer from one entity for that big number.
Miller also suggested that WME might structure various deals—podcasts, shows, and other ventures—for Smith to cumulatively reach closer to his desired $25 million a year mark: “I think what ESPN is up against is the possibility that WME could go out and create an architecture where Stephen A. has a podcast, a this, a deal with this… whatever, and at the end of the day, it’s $20 million a year.”
A Long Partnership
The dynamics between Smith and ESPN date back quite a while. Having joined ESPN in 2003, Stephen A. has worn many hats within the organization. Notably, his show Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith, aired on ESPN2 from 2005-2007.
Todays focus lies primarily on shows like First Take and NBA Countdown, where he is known for his outspoken nature and daily headlines.
Beyond ESPN boundaries, he delves into broader topics through his podcast The Stephen A. Smith Show. This show allows him flexibility beyond traditional sports topics. Miller remarked on SI Media: I do believe there are enough possibilities that Stephen A. can get outside of ESPN and even outside an exclusive deal with another network that could make him very happy and very rich
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